Context: The state Cabinet, which meet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, approved a series of major infrastructure, industrial and welfare decisions, including administrative sanction of Rs 2,316.88 crore for Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) works in the Integrated State Secretariat and Head of Department (HoD) office complex in Amaravati.
Agriculture and Forest Rights Beneficiaries
- The Cabinet approved providing support to forest rights beneficiaries in eight districts under the “Per Drop More Crop” scheme as part of the Dhatri Aba Janajatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.
- Under this initiative, 100% subsidy will be provided for drip irrigation systems and 90% subsidy for sprinkler systems.
Water (Amendment) Act, 2024
- The Cabinet approved placing the Water (Amendment) Act, 2024, introduced by the Central Government, before the State Assembly and Legislative Council for approval through a resolution.
- The amendment replaces the earlier provision of imprisonment for minor water pollution offences with the option of paying a monetary penalty.
- If the State approves the amendment, it will become eligible for funds under the National Clean Air Programme.
Working Women Hostels
- The Cabinet approved the establishment of 30 Working Women Hostels across the State. These hostels will be set up under the Mission Shakti programme as part of the “Sakhi Nivas Scheme.”
- The aim is to provide affordable accommodation for single working women, widows, and women who live away from their families for employment.
GST Appellate Authority
- After the implementation of GST, the number of tax-related cases under the Commercial Taxes Department has increased.
- Currently, people from the Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Vizianagaram regions have to travel to Vijayawada to file appeals.
- To address this issue, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a First Appellate Authority in Visakhapatnam and sanctioned an Additional Commissioner post.
- It also approved notifying the jurisdiction of appellate offices in Tirupati, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam.
Land Allocation for Kendriya Vidyalayas
- The Cabinet decided to allocate five acres of government land free of cost in Raghavapuram village of Nandigama mandal in NTR district for the establishment of a Kendriya Vidyalaya school.
- Additionally, seven acres of land in Nuzvid (Eluru district) and five acres in Purushottapuram village of Palasa mandal (Srikakulam district) were allocated for the construction of permanent Kendriya Vidyalaya school buildings.
Tourism Development
- The Cabinet approved the allocation of 20.62 acres of government land in Diguvapalli village of Chowdepalli mandal, Chittoor district to the Tourism Department at a rate of ₹4.20 lakh per acre.
- It also approved the allocation of 17 acres of land in Adavi village of Bapatla district to the AP Tourism Authority for the development of luxury resorts.
Forest and Environmental Measures
- The Cabinet approved transferring 82.40 acres of government land in Pangili village of Rapur mandal, Nellore district to the Forest Department for compensatory afforestation.
Healthcare Infrastructure
- The Cabinet approved the allocation of one acre of land in Nellore Rural mandal for the construction of an ESI Hospital.
- It also approved allocating 0.86 acres of land in Brahmadevam village of Muthukur mandal, Nellore district, valued at ₹27.95 lakh, to SEIL Energy India Limited for the construction of a CSR hospital.
Industrial Development
- The Cabinet approved allocating 424.45 acres of land across five villages in Jammalamadugu area of YSR district to JSW Steel for establishing an integrated steel plant. The company will pay ₹21.30 crore for the land.
Infrastructure Development
- To reduce traffic congestion in Vijayawada, the National Highways Authority is constructing a bypass road near Jakkampudi Colony. For this project, the Cabinet decided to increase the height of the 400 kV high-tension transmission line.
- It also approved issuing a notice to Lanco Kondapalli Power Limited to enable the shutdown of the 400 kV Nunna–PGCIL line circuit required for the project.
Amaravati Secretariat Infrastructure
- The Cabinet approved administrative sanction of ₹2,316.88 crore for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) works in the Integrated State Secretariat and Head of Department (HoD) office complex in Amaravati.
The works include installation of high-side electrical systems, HVAC systems, fire protection systems, elevators, fire alarm and public address systems, and plumbing works for the Secretariat towers, including the GAD Tower and Towers 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the Amaravati Government Complex. - Construction of the Secretariat buildings resumed in June 2024 after a safety review conducted by a committee of experts, including specialists from IIT Madras. The government decided to speed up MEP installations through a Design and Build contract model based on 2025–26 market rates.
Telugu Cultural Centre in Amaravati
The Cabinet approved construction of a Telugu Cultural Centre at Neerukonda in Amaravati with an estimated cost of ₹119.27 crore under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model.
The project will be developed on five acres of land and will include:
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A 2,000-seat auditorium
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A 1,000-seat open-air theatre
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A museum dedicated to the Telugu language
The facility will follow green building norms and is expected to promote Telugu arts, culture, and tourism in the capital region.
Land Allocations in Amaravati Capital Region
Several land allocations were approved under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA):
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0.8 acres allotted for a CBSE Regional Office
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Around 5 acres allotted for the APSIRD & PR Educational Campus
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3 acres allotted to the Thullur Educational Society as compensation for land acquired for road construction
Industrial Development Reforms
To boost industrial investment, the Cabinet approved removal of 66,157 acres of land allotted by Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) from the Section 22-A prohibitory list under the Registration Act.
This restriction had prevented industries from mortgaging land to obtain bank loans.
Additional decisions include:
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Conditional removal of 3,803 acres after completion of industrial projects
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Mutation of 51,603 acres of government land in APIIC’s name in revenue records to facilitate financing.
AP Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (AP-CMEGP)
The Cabinet approved the AP-CMEGP scheme with an allocation of ₹300 crore to support 3,500 micro-entrepreneurs establishing manufacturing units in MSME parks.
Key outcomes expected:
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Creation of nearly 17,000 jobs
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Subsidy of 25–35% of project cost for eligible beneficiaries
Incentives for Industrial Investment
- The Cabinet approved incentives for Heritage Foods Limited for expansion of its dairy processing unit at Kasipenta, involving an investment of ₹209.68 crore.
Drinking Water Projects
- Administrative approval was granted for seven Multi-Village Drinking Water Supply Schemes costing ₹9,355 crore, which will provide safe drinking water to about 6.5 million people across 76 mandals.
- Additionally, 3,000 rural water supply works worth ₹1,814.71 crore were approved to address water scarcity in identified habitations.
Administrative and Welfare Measures
- Upgradation of 300 Head Constable posts to Assistant Reserve Sub-Inspector (ARSI) in the Andhra Pradesh Special Police.
- Completion of pending works of the Polavaram Irrigation Project Left Main Canal, which will provide drinking water to Visakhapatnam